It is important to distinguish the difference between weight loss and fat loss - there is actually a huge difference. A case study showed a mature lady needing to lose 2 stone. She dieted well and lost the weight but with it lost all her energy and get up and go. She was tired all the time and family and friends were concerned with this new person.
Two years later, the weight had crept back on and she was once again determined to lose it. This time she undertook a strict exercise regime as well as eating healthily and sensibly and she lost the weight again. However, this time she had bags of energy and looked and felt healthy.
The difference the second time was that she lost fat rather than just weight. It might not seem important but it is. Dieting alone generally means that active tissue is lost with just a small amount being fat. Exercise has the opposite effect. Her body mass reduced and excess fat was lost.
Cellulite works in a similar way. Most people have cellulite - certainly not just people who are overweight. Cellulite applies to the chain of wrinkles fat cells and subcutaneous tissues underneath the layers of the skin. It most certainly doesn't only apply to people who are overweight and actually there are thousands of people who have cellulite who are not fat at all.
Why some people amass cellulite and others don't is a mystery. Some unproven explanations include hormonal changes or the way the fat cells enter and live the body.
The infamous 'orange peel' skin is more prominent in women than men because the connective tissue in women is more firm than a mans. So, when a woman puts on weight the fatty cells brow and get bigger forming ridges on the outer skin.
This is why women have more cellulite than men. It is another reason for women to be careful with their bodies as they already have a higher chance of getting cellulite than men, before the weight is even gained.
Fats and Cellulite
Most people who are fat or obese believe that the cause of their cellulite is being overweight.
As mentioned previously, not all people who have cellulite are overweight, although it is generally the main contributing factor. Having excess weight can push the development of cellulite because the excess fat under the skin pushes the connective tissue and forms the ridges.
But, in some cases, the connective tissue is not as firm, then excess weight just expands with the tissue and no cellulite is formed.
It is impossible to know if your connective tissue is more supple therefore not allowing cellulite to form. The fat is still there, just not obvious to the eye. What we must all strive to do is to stop adding excess fat to our bodies and then we will avoid the development of cellulite.
How can this be achieved?
Start an exercise routine program.
Fatty foods are easy for us to eat. Once the fat is inside us it is much more difficult to lose. There are 3 alternatives to fat loss: a) reduce food intake and exercise b) more exercise and keep food intake constant; or c) combine a and b - diet and exercise.
Exercise can help you to lose weight quicker. If you exercise energetically for one hour you will probably burn 300-600 calories but if you also cut 300-500 calories from your diet you will lose 1 or 2 pounds a week - it doesn't sound a lot but this is the best way to lose weight and keep it off.
If you don't exercise you will have to eat 500-1,000 fewer calories a day to lose the same amount of weight a week. Exercise can be difficult, especially if you are over-fat - you should always speak with your doctor before starting any exercise plan to prevent any damage to your heart or connective tissue. You should also speak to your doctor if you plan to dramatically reduce your food intake.
Just stopping eating is not the answer it only makes it worse. Remember the earlier case study - the weight came off but there was no energy left. You need the energy to keep you motivated. You need to lose the fat as well as the weight otherwise it will all just go back on.
The problem for people who are prone to cellulite is that if they only diet they will lose weight through connective tissue and not the fat which will increase the skin problem greatly.
Lose the fat first and if you lose weight its an added bonus. Concentrate on the fats and burn them away, along with calories, by increasing your metabolic rate to 7.5% to 28% more than your normal rate.
If you don't want cellulite the only way is to exercise - it is the most important factor in a cellulite free body.
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"About The Author" below
About The Author
Barry Sheppard writes, as a hobby, for http://www.traintraveller.com
an online site informing readers how to travel throughout the world by train.
He has written and had published 15 books, and 100's of articles on a wide range of
subjects.He runs a 121 writing course by phone and email . You can get the details of this
course from Barry at Email:
He has also started writing and adding articles for content pages from
Exercise and Cellulite
